Poker-type game method

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a poker-type game between a group of players and a dealer includes the wagering an ante bet by each player followed by dealing two cards to each player. Thereafter, one or more players wagers a hand bet or loses the ante bet. The dealer deals four subsequent cards to each player with a hand bet; and six cards to himself. Each player determines a best five-card hand from the six cards dealt, and similarly the dealer determines a best five-card hand. Paying off the hand bet and ante of each player occurs: (a) to the player if the five-card hand of the player has a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer; or (b) to the dealer if the five-card hand of the player has a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method of playing a poker-type game, and more particularly to a method of playing a poker-type game in which betting on the rank of the poker hand of each player occurs after the first two cards are dealt to the player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are many versions of poker-type games being played in casinos. Typically, these casino versions of poker-type games have players who play or bet against either a dealer or a pay table. Among these casino versions of poker-type games are: Caribbean Stud®, Let it Ride®, 3 Card Poker®, 3-5-7™, Boston Stud™, and many others. Typically, these poker-type games require the player to make an initial or ante wager or wagers, and then make additional wagers to continue play till a full hand is dealt.

For example, the Caribbean Stud® poker-type game requires the player to make an initial wager, and if the player decides to continue play, the player must make another wager exactly double of the initial wager. To win, the dealer must have a qualifying hand and the player's hand must have a better poker rank than the dealer.

In the Let it Ride® poker-type game, the players make three identical wagers. After seeing their initial 3 cards the players may request one of the wagers back. Then after seeing a common card, the players can request a second wager to be returned. The third wager must remain, and the final 5-card hand is then compared to a pay table. If the player achieves a listed hand, the player receives posted odds on the bets.

Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,486 (Franklin) is a pai gow poker game with an additional jackpot wager. As disclosed therein, the usual game of pai gow poker in a casino setting is played by a dealer dealing each player (preferably six players) and the dealer seven cards. Each player then arranges the seven cards into a two-card (Low) hand and a five card (High) hand, as does the dealer thereafter. Each player initially wagers an ante bet against the dealer. This ante bet is: won if both the respective Low hand and the High hand have a poker rank greater than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer; lost if both the respective Low hand and the High hand have a poker rank less than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer; and pushed if only one of the respective Low hand and the High hand has a poker rank greater than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer. In this game, ties go to the dealer, and a joker is used in the play which can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush.

According to the improved method of play of pai gow poker in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,486, an additional jackpot wager is optionally made by each player. The player wins this jackpot wager at odds when the Low hand and High hand together have a predetermined value (such as a pair and straight, or a higher High hand). The odds increase in view of the rarity of the possible two hands, up to, for example, 50,000/1 for five aces and a pair.

Another popular modification of the pai gow poker game has been played at “Harvey's Resort and Casino” in Tahoe, Nev. In this modified game, a bonus bet is made (in addition to the ante bet in the usual game for the five-card hand and two-card hand ranks to be compared with those of the dealer). This bonus bet is won at odds if the player has any five cards (or best poker hand) which together rank above a straight (with the odds increasing for increasingly ranked hands). In addition, if a player makes a bonus bet above $5, that player can additionally win a predetermined payoff if any other player has any five cards which together form a poker rank above four of a kind (with the payoff increasing for increasingly ranked hands).

While such poker-type games are entertaining and useful in the gaming industry to increase interest and betting, other variations of poker-type games are desired to generate new interest therein and further increase betting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method of playing a poker-type game with wagers between a group of respective players and a dealer is provided. The outcome of the poker-type game is determined by randomly generated playing cards having various ranks and suits, as is typical of poker-type games. The method includes the initial steps of wagering an ante bet by each respective player against the dealer followed by the dealing two initial cards to each respective player by the dealer. Thereafter, one or more players wagers a hand bet against the dealer, and the dealer then collects the (losing) ante bet of any player who does not make a hand bet. Next, the dealer deals four subsequent cards to each player who has wagered a hand bet; and the dealer deals six cards to himself either with the dealings to the players or separately as desired. After all players making the hand bet have six cards, each respective player determines a best five-card hand from the six cards dealt to each respective player, and similarly the dealer determines a best five-card hand of the dealer from the six cards dealt to the dealer. Paying off the hand bet of each player occurs: (a) to the (winning) respective player if the five-card hand of the respective player has a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer; or (b) to the (winning) dealer if the five-card hand of the respective player has a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer. In addition, paying off the ante bet of each player occurs: (a) to the (winning) respective player if the five-card hand of the player had a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer; or (b) to the (winning) dealer if the five-card hand of the player had a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of playing a poker-type game further includes the step of wagering a rank bet by one or more players against the dealer before the dealing of the two initial cards. Then, paying off the rank bet of each respective player occurs: (a) to the (winning) respective player if the cards dealt to the respective player have a higher poker rank than a predetermined value; or (b) to the (winning) dealer if the cards dealt to the respective player have a lower poker rank than the predetermined value.

Preferably in the present method of playing a poker-type game, the step of dealing four subsequent cards includes the steps of: (a) dealing two discrete cards to each respective player by the dealer, and (b) dealing two common cards for shared use of each respective player by the dealer. Then, the cards dealt to each player who did not make a hand bet but who did make a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to the respective player and the two common cards; and the cards dealt to each player who did make a hand bet and a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to each respective player, the two discrete cards dealt to each respective player, and the two common cards. The four or six card hands thus formed for each respective player are used to pay off the rank bet.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of paying off the rank bet further includes the step of determining if the rank bet of each respective player exceeds a predetermined premium amount, and then determining if the cards dealt to any player (of the typical six players) exceeds a predetermined premium value. If the cards dealt to any player exceeds the predetermined premium value, the dealers pays off a bonus amount to each (winning) respective player having a rank bet exceeding the predetermined premium amount.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the paying off the (winning) ante bet of each respective player to each player step further includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective ante bet thereof. In addition, the paying off of the (winning) rank bet of each respective player step further includes the step of determining the bonus amount based on a hierarchy of hand values. Further, the paying off the (winning) hand bet of each player to each player step further includes the step of the dealer paying to each player an amount equal to the hand bet. Still further, the paying off the ante bed step and the hand bet step includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective (tie) ante and hand bets thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer.

Further in the preferred embodiment, the dealing four subsequent cards step includes the steps of first dealing two discrete cards to each respective player by the dealer, and then dealing two common cards for shared use by each respective player. In addition, the playing cards are a standard 52-card deck and a joker playing card and each respective player with a joker playing card included in the cards dealt to that player is permitted to determine what value and/or suit to assign to the joker playing card.

Still further in the preferred embodiment, the wagering the hand bet step includes the step of limiting the hand bet to a predetermined maximum of the ante bet, which maximum is preferably ten.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a poker-type game which has increased interest, provides multiple opportunities for betting, and in which the game moves fast.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention found hereinbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The method of play of the poker-type game of the present invention is designed for casino-type wagering games, in which the wagers are made by each player against a dealer/banker representing the casino using suitable tokens or the like. Typically, the dealer is located along the straight part of a table surface, and the dealer has a token holder or bank at the dealer's disposal. Of course, other types of banker based games are possible as known in the art, such as where the dealer is not necessarily the banker. As with the usual game of poker, the present poker-type game is played with a single deck of cards having the usual 52 cards in four suits and values. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the method also includes the use of a joker card mixed in with the usual 52 cards so that there are 53 cards altogether. As typical in the art, the joker card is permitted, at the discretion of the player(s) or dealer in whose hand the joker card is dealt, to be designated as any one of the usual 52 cards.

The method of play of the poker-type game of the present invention is broadly as follows. Initially, an ante bet is wagered by each respective player against the dealer. The dealer then deals two initial cards to each respective player, preferably face down so that only the respective player will know what cards were received. Next, a hand bet is wagered by one or more players against the dealer. The hand bet is a wager on the hand to be completely dealt subsequently, with the players using the two initial cards as a guide as to whether to make the hand bet or to fold (lose) the hand (the only two options available). After each player is afforded an opportunity to make a hand bet, the dealer collects the (losing) ante bet of any player who does not make a hand bet. Otherwise, the ante bet and hand bet of the players making hand bets remain in play.

The dealer then deals four subsequent cards to each player who has wagered a hand bet, as easily determined by those players having bets remaining (typically on the table used). Preferably, the four subsequent cards are dealt by the dealer as two discrete cards to each respective player which are face up, and then as two common cards for shared use by each respective player which are also face up (speeding up the game and creating shared interests of the players). Those players making a hand bet thus have six cards as their hand, from which each player then chooses a best poker five-card hand.

In addition, the dealer deals six cards to the dealer. The six cards can be dealt to the dealer face up after all of the cards have been dealt to the players; or by dealing two initial cards face down to the dealer and four sequent cards face up after the four subsequent cards are dealt to the players, at which time the two initial cards are also turned face up. Each player in turn then turns the respective two initial cards face up so that a best five-card hand of each player (based on the six cards dealt to each player) can be determined and compared to the best five-card hand of the dealer (based on the six cards dealt to the dealer).

A paying off the hand bet of each player is then made:

-   (a) to the respective (winning) player if the five-card hand of the     respective player has a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of     the dealer, -   (b) to the (winning) dealer if the five-card hand of the respective     player has a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer,     or -   (c) by returning to the respective player the respective (tie) hand     bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a     poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer.     Preferably, where the hand bet is paid off by the dealer to the     (winning) player, the amount of the payoff is equal to the amount of     the hand bet; whereas where the hand bet is paid off to the     (winning) dealer, the amount of the payoff is the amount of the hand     bet which is simply forfeited to the dealer (collected off the table     by the dealer).

In addition, and at the same time as the paying off of the hand bet occurs, a paying off of the ante bet of each player is then made:

-   (a) to the respective (winning) player if the five-card hand of the     player had a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the     dealer, -   (b) to the (winning) dealer if the five-card hand of the player had     a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer, or -   (c) by returning to the respective player the respective (tie) ante     bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a     poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer.     Preferably, where the ante bet is paid off by the dealer to the     (winning) player, the ante bet is simply returned to the player     (with no additional payout); whereas where the ante bet is paid off     to the (winning) dealer, the amount of the payoff is the amount of     the ante bet which is simply forfeited to the dealer (collected off     the table by the dealer).

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method of playing a poker-type game further includes the step of wagering a rank bet by one or more players against the dealer before the dealing of the two initial cards (i.e., with the ante bet). Then, after all six cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, paying off the rank bet of each respective player occurs:

-   (a) to the respective (winning) player if the cards dealt to the     respective player have a higher poker rank than a predetermined base     value, or -   (b) to the (winning) dealer if the cards dealt to the respective     player have a lower poker rank than the predetermined base value.     The amount of the rank bet is preferably set at some predetermined     minimum or base amount, such as the same as the ante bet or some     multiple of the ante bet. In the preferred embodiment, the base     amount of the rank bet is the same as that of the ante bet.

Preferably, the making of a hand bet after the two initial cards are dealt does not affect whether the player is still in play with the rank bet but how many cards the player gets in their hand for the rank bet. Thus, the cards dealt to each player who did not make a hand bet but who did make a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to the respective player and the two common cards (for a total of four cards); while the cards dealt to each player who did make a hand bet and a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to each respective player, the two discrete cards dealt to each respective player, and the two common cards (for a total of six cards). There is thus an advantage to making a hand bet where a rank bet has already been made, since the player will then have six cards with which to make a poker hand and win the rank bet. However, even where the player does not make a hand bet (folds), the player will still have four cards which might produce a poker hand sufficient to win the rank bet. Thus, all players with a rank bet remain interested in the game to the conclusion.

While the exact payoff schedule for the rank bet can be adjusted by the dealer (casino) as desired, one preferred payoff schedule for a rank bet of 1 is as follows. Hand Value Payoff Probability Odds to 1 % Returned Nothing −1 28.8049908% 3.47 −144.024954% 1 Pair −1 46.5759308% 2.15 −232.879654% 2 Pair 1 11.0326395% 9.06  55.163197% 3 of a Kind 2  7.5577633% 13.23  75.577633% Straight 3  3.0326848% 32.97  45.490272% Flush 5  1.3718579% 72.89  34.296447% Full House 10  1.2611837% 79.29  63.059186% 4 of a Kind 20  0.3193730% 313.11  31.937303% Straight Flush 50  0.0359447% 2,782.05   8.986178% Royal Flush 100  0.0049134% 20,352.38   2.456716% 5 of a Kind 500  0.0027181% 36,790.83   6.795171% Totals     100%  −53.142505% This table shows the payoffs (times the amount wagered), where the payoffs to the dealer will be −1, or the amount of the rank wager where the base value of one pair is not achieved by the player; while the payoffs to the player will be times the number shown (so a straight pays of three times the amount wagered). The table also shows the probability of each hand occurrence, the odds thereof, and what the dealer return will be, so that it will be appreciated that there will be a net return to the dealer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the making of a rank bet above a predetermined premium or minimum amount also results in the making of a premium or bonus bet as well. The predetermined premium amount of the rank bet to result as well in the premium bet is preferably set as some multiple of the base rank bet. For example, if the base rank bet is 1, then the minimum rank bet amount which will include the premium bet is 5. With this premium bet, as part of the paying off the rank bet step, there is an initial step of determining by the dealer if the rank bet of each respective player exceeds the predetermined premium amount to result in a premium bet having been made by that player. Where the predetermined premium amount is exceeded by at least one player, it is next determined by the dealer if the cards dealt to any (one or more) player exceeds a predetermined premium hand value, which is preferably set above the base value for winning the rank bet as noted above. For example, where the predetermined base value for winning the rank bet is two pair (as set forth above), then the predetermined premium value needed to win the premium bet is set at four of a kind (or higher). Thus, if the cards dealt to any player exceeds the premium value, the dealer pays off a premium or bonus amount to each respective player having a premium bet.

The payoff for the premium bet is preferably dependent on the hand (or highest hand) of any player. Thus, where the minimum base rank bet is 1 as noted above, the minimum premium bet would be 5 as noted above and the payoff for a premium bet of 5, where there are six players and a dealer, would be as follows. Hand Value Probability Payoff % Returned 4 of a Kind 0.3193730% 10 15.968652% Straight Flush 0.0359447% 20  3.594471% Royal Flush 0.0049134% 50  1.228358% 5 of a Kind 0.0027181% 250   3.397585% Total 24.189066%

Using the two tables and methods as noted above, it will thus be appreciated that the method of the present invention will result in the dealer or house hold will being −5.790688%.

The manner in which the dealer deals the cards to the players and the dealer is not determinative of the outcome but is preferably chosen based on what is familiar and accepted readily by the players. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the initial two cards dealt to each player by the dealer are dealt face down. Thereafter, the dealing of the four subsequent cards to each player occurs as the dealer deals two discrete cards face up to each respective player, and then two common cards for shared use by each respective player in the center of the table which are also face up.

The manner of dealing six cards to the dealer can be performed in a number of ways as desired. In the preferred embodiment, the dealer deals two cards face down to himself at the same time that the first two face down cards are dealt to the players in a usual left to right rotation about the table with the dealer last. Thereafter, the dealer deals the next two face up cards to each player and at the same time two face up cards to the dealer also in rotation. Finally, the dealer deals the two face up common cards face up and at the same time deals the dealer the final two cards in rotation face up. The paying off sets are then performed as each player and the dealer turns up the (first) two face down cards.

Alternatively, the dealer could deal the last four cards to himself consecutively after all of the players' cards have been dealt; or even all six cards to himself after all of the players' cards have been dealt. Since the players are all betting against the dealer only, when the dealer's cards are dealt does not affect the play of the game. However, as typically cards are dealt in a rotation, it is believed that this will be most preferred by players and thus this would be the preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wagering the hand bet step includes the step of limiting the hand bet to a predetermined maximum of the ante bet. For example, the predetermined maximum of the ante bet could be ten.

The use of the above disclosed method of play increases the speed (and hence profitability) of the usual poker game since the discarding and drawing of additional cards is eliminated, while still affording the player an additional card from which to form the best five card hand.

While the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A method of playing a poker-type game with wagers between a group of respective players and a dealer whose outcome is determined by randomly generated playing cards having various ranks and suits, said method comprising the steps of: wagering an ante bet by each respective player against the dealer; dealing two initial cards to each respective player by the dealer; wagering a hand bet by one or more players against the dealer after said dealing of the two initial cards step; collecting the ante bet of any player who does not make a hand bet by the dealer; dealing four subsequent cards to each player who has wagered a hand bet by the dealer; dealing six cards to the dealer by the dealer; determining a best five-card hand by each respective player from the six cards dealt to each respective player; determining a best five-card hand by the dealer from the six cards dealt to the dealer; paying off the hand bet of each player (a) to the respective player if the five-card hand of the respective player has a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer, or (b) to the dealer if the five-card hand of the respective player has a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer, paying off the ante bet of each player (a) to the respective player if the five-card hand of the player had a higher poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer, or (b) to the dealer if the five-card hand of the player had a lower poker rank than the five-card hand of the dealer.
 2. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 1, further including the steps of: wagering a rank bet by one or more players against the dealer before the dealing of the two initial cards; paying off the rank bet of each respective player (a) to the respective player if the cards dealt to the respective player have a higher poker rank than a predetermined base value, or (b) to the dealer if the cards dealt to the respective player have a lower poker rank than the predetermined base value.
 3. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dealing four subsequent cards step includes the steps of: (a) dealing two discrete cards to each respective player by the dealer, and (b) dealing two common cards for shared use by each respective player by the dealer, so that (i) the cards dealt to each player who did not make a hand bet but who did make a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to the respective player and the two common cards and (ii) the cards dealt to each player who did make a hand bet and a rank bet include the two initial cards dealt to each respective player, the two discrete cards dealt to each respective player, and the two common cards.
 4. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 2, wherein the paying off the rank bet step includes the steps of: (a) determining if the rank bet of each respective player exceeds a predetermined premium amount, (b) determining if the cards dealt to any player exceeds a predetermined premium value, and (c) if the cards dealt to any player exceeds the predetermined premium value, paying off a bonus amount to each respective player having a rank bet exceeding the predetermined premium amount.
 5. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 4: wherein the paying off the ante bet of each respective player to each player step further includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective ante bet thereof; wherein the paying off of the rank bet of each respective player step further includes the step of determining the bonus amount based on a hierarchy of hand values; and wherein the paying off the hand bet of each player to each player step further includes the step of the dealer paying to each player an amount equal to the hand bet.
 6. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 1: wherein said paying off the hand bet step includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective hand bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer; and wherein said paying off the ante bet step includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective ante bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer.
 7. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dealing four subsequent cards step includes the steps of: (a) dealing two discrete cards to each respective player by the dealer, and (b) dealing two common cards for shared use by each respective player.
 8. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 1: wherein the playing cards are a standard 52-card deck and a joker playing card; and further including the step of permitting each respective player with a joker playing card included in the cards dealt to that player to determine what value and/or suit to assign to the joker playing card.
 9. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wagering the hand bet step includes the step of limiting the hand bet to a predetermined maximum of the ante bet.
 10. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 9, wherein the predetermined maximum of the ante bet is ten.
 11. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 3, wherein the paying off the rank bet step includes the steps of: (a) determining if the rank bet of each respective player exceeds a predetermined premium amount, (b) determining if the cards dealt to any player exceeds a predetermined premium value, and (c) if the cards dealt to any player exceeds the predetermined premium value, paying off a bonus amount to each respective player having a rank bet exceeding the predetermined premium amount.
 12. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 11: wherein the paying off the ante bet of each respective player to each player step further includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective ante bet thereof; wherein the paying off of the rank bet of each respective player step further includes the step of determining the bonus amount based on a hierarchy of hand values; and wherein the paying off the hand bet of each player to each player step further includes the step of the dealer paying to each player an amount equal to the hand bet.
 13. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 12: wherein said paying off the hand bet step includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective hand bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer; and wherein said paying off the ante bet step includes the step of returning to the respective player the respective ante bet thereof where the five-card hand of the respective player has a poker rank equal to the five-card hand of the dealer.
 14. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 13: wherein the playing cards are a standard 52-card deck and a joker playing card; and further including the step of permitting each respective player with a joker playing card included in the cards dealt to that player to determine what value and/or suit to assign to the joker playing card.
 15. A method of playing a poker-type game as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wagering the hand bet step includes the step of limiting the hand bet to a predetermined maximum of the ante bet. 